The Rinconada Library partnered with youth support organization allcove and other local groups to provide valuable information on teen volunteer opportunities, sign-ups for recreational activities, and mental health resources at the TEENtober Resource Fair on Sunday. Attendees received a bingo sheet where they collected stamps from the various booths to enter a raffle with a chance to win a mystery book, library merchandise, and a gift card. Stations distributed free fidgets, candy, flyers, and other goodies. Here’s a look at the organizations that participated.
allcove
Allcove hosts free events for youth ages 12-25 almost nightly across their four locations, from academic activities like college application checklists to relaxing nights with ramen or Halloween games. They strive to create fun spaces for young people to develop friendships and utilize free or low-cost services like mental health support and college counseling. For those interested in wellness advocacy and creating support options, allcove runs a youth advisory group with applications opening in the Spring. Allcove Palo Alto meets at 2741 Middlefield Road.
Children’s Health Council
Children’s Health Council (CHC) supplies mental health and learning difference support. They host therapy groups like Rise IOP, where people can learn coping skills and mindfulness. They also operate at schools like Sandhill School and prioritize community education. “We’re really thinking about teen mental health, and it’s really important for us to be in places where teens are going to be so that we can share our resources and make sure they know that there are organizations and people out there that can support them,” outreach manager Jenny Bloom said.
They also host events, such as their upcoming workshop to help students create a study plan for finals, which will be held on Nov. 18 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Their booth included pamphlets on the resources they provide, stickers, and fidget toys.
The Drop
The Drop is a free teen center at Mitchell Park with recreational space to hang out. They have activities like a pool table, ping pong, crafts, a gaming area with a PS5 and Switch, and even a basketball court. They also have a point system where you can earn points by signing up for events and eventually redeem them in the prize box. On Friday, points are worth extra and pizza is available. The name came from the old building where you had to walk down a few steps to get to the hangout room—and it has stuck even though the hangout space has moved.
SNAPkids
SNAPkids teaches special needs children how to swim. Volunteer instructors partner with a student during group classes. Those looking to volunteer aren’t required to have strong swimming skills; the program is more social and therapeutic than athletic, and all volunteers are accepted. The program is in high demand for special needs families, as there is a long waitlist with kids who have been waiting for up to two years.
“You really see that you make an impact on [the kids], they’re always smiling and laughing, it just really means a lot,” volunteer Alyssa Wang said.
ASPIRE
After-School Program Interventions and Resiliency Education (ASPIRE) is a mental health program for adolescents with different mental health struggles. It is an in-person commitment for both parents and students in which the parents learn the same skills as the kids. The program utilizes art therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy, a type of talk therapy that focuses on teaching skills and mindfulness, to support clients and teach healthy coping. “I just think it’s really important for young people to know that there are resources out there and they’re not alone. There are a lot of things out there to help,” behavioral health worker Sam Kotmel said.
“Education and the destigmatization of mental illness are really important. One in five people has a mental illness, so it’s extremely common and not something to be ashamed of,” she added.
Grassroots Ecology
Grassroots Ecology provides volunteering experiences for those interested in taking care of the environment, such as working in parks and preserves. “Our organization is all about getting people outside and providing safe and fun spaces for people to get involved in improving their environment and exploring outdoors,” project manager Hannah Cunningham said. Upcoming events include night hikes and creek cleanups.
TechDev Academy
TechDev Academy offers academic services for high school students, specifically geared towards the college application process, and links students with mentors. On Nov. 15 and 22, they are hosting free online Zoom sessions with a Stanford scholar where students can learn tips and tricks to improve their SAT scores. They also have a paid college prep course in which mentors help students build their portfolio, work on research projects, and focus on specific interests like medicine, biology, and more.
Youth Community Service
Youth Community Service focuses on peer leadership, social-emotional wellness, and service-based learning. As a certification agency, they can verify volunteer hours and nominate volunteers for awards. They are connected to over 100 organizations that contact them with service information, which they document on their calendar. At-home service projects include making wellness and hygiene kits.
Transform Tutoring
Transform Tutoring offers tutoring and mentoring focused on mastering skills and expanding students’ experience with hands-on projects, internships, and research. For youth interested in business and sales, Transform Tutoring offers a marketing internship online to work alongside an experienced team and improve sales techniques. They also provide a computer science internship, looking for those with engineering minds interested in learning from software developers. Both internships pay $20 an hour; applications are available on their website. Internships typically last six weeks but can be extended to accommodate students’ needs.
